Hundreds decry Norway's 'theft' of children in Vienna

Thousands of people protested outside the Norwegian embassy in the Austrian capital of Vienna, Saturday, urging Norwegian authorities to return the children who are said to have been "stolen" by the Norwegian Child Welfare Service (Barnevernet). The protesters, including people from Romania, Czech Republic, and Russia carried pictures of the children while singing religious songs.

The Bodnariu family case has sparked protests across Europe. A family consisting of one Romanian parent and one Norwegian parent had their five children taken into care. The parents' lawyer plans to challenge the decision in Norway's Superior Court, though no trial date has currently been set. The care system in Norway has attracted widespread criticism. It is thought that up to 40 percent of children in Barnevernet custody are from an immigrant background.